Real Madrid’s sixth consecutive victory in the Euroleague came against the European runners-up. In the previous five, they led their rivals by an average of 17 points, against Monaco it was +12. Scariolo’s team is already second and in 2026 no one comes close to its performance. There are no proper names. There is an outstanding collective display that serves to dominate rivals on both sides of the court. The streak could be extended next Tuesday against a Paris Basketball team that has fallen into disrepair this season.
The highest scoring team in Europe arrived in the capital – 92 points on average and close to 100 in the last seven games – and in the first quarter they remained at 13 points and in the second at 18. Less than a month ago, on December 26, Monaco had gone up to 100 against a defense that has nothing to do with what Madrid has exhibited in the last games. Mirotic, who was the starter and one of the executioners in the most recent precedent, offered a key in Movistar + before starting: “Let’s see who defends a little more.” Madrid did it much more. The team that left Barça with 61 points and Milan with 77 points was back on the court. Added to the contagion effect that Tavares imposes at the back was a success in attack that comes precisely from the outstanding defensive work.
Good performance protecting the rim frees Madrid in attack. He scored the first three tries from three, with three different scorers, in what heralded another fun evening. Hezonja assumed the scoring leadership with an explosive first quarter and when the rotations began – Scariolo nailed the ones from 48 hours earlier against Armani Milan – the team took off. Garuba’s energy has been having a very direct impact on the team’s performance for weeks. His teammates even smile when they see some actions that go beyond his defensive vitamins. His contribution is very visible, but the teammates who come off the bench support him without exception. And Monaco suffered a shakeup like it had not experienced so far this season. The differences were over 20 points with more than half a game left. Mike James was deranged and his teammates were subdued. The Spanoulis team’s fake reaction in the third quarter (64-51) and the last (75-64) came to nothing. Campazzo returned (17 points and 10 assists) and restored order.
90. Real Madrid (23+31+17+19): Campazzo (17), Abalde (8), Okeke (3), Hezonja (12) and Tavares (13) – starting quintet – Lyles (20), Maledon (0), Deck (0), Garuba (11), Llull (2), Feliz (2) and Len (2).
78. Monaco (13+18+22+25): James (17), Okobo (7), Diallo (4), Mirotic (15) and Theis (12) – starting quintet – Hayes (0), Strazel (12), Blossongame (5), Nedovic (2), Tarpey (4) and Michineau (0).
Referees: Nedovic (Esl), Kowalski (Pol) and Kardum (Cro). Theis and James eliminated. Techniques to Tavares, James, Strazel, Theis and the French bench.
Incidences: 9,831 spectators at the Movistar Arena. Match corresponding to the twenty-fourth day of the Euroleague.
24th day: Anadolu Efes, 68-Olympiacos, 74; Maccabi Tel Aviv, 75-Panathinaikos, 71; Armani Milan, 82-Zalgiris Kaunas, 86; Bayern Munich, 93-Valencia Basket, 89; Real Madrid, 90-Monaco, 78; Paris Basketball, 78-Dubai Basketball, 99; Fenerbahçe-Kosner Baskonia (18:45); Virtus Bologna-Red Star (20:30); Partizan-Hapoel Tel Aviv (20:30) and ASVEL Villeurbanne-Barcelona (20:45). (All in Movistar +).
Classification (wins/losses): 1. Hapoel Tel Aviv (6/16); 2. Real Madrid (8/16); 3. Fenerbahçe (7/15); 4. Olympiacos (8/15); 5. Barcelona (8/15); 6. Monaco (9/15); 7. Valencia Basket (9/15); 8. Zalgiris Kaunas (10/14); 9. Panathinaikos (10/14); 10. Red Star (10/13); 11. Virtus Bologna (11/12); 12. Dubai Basketball (11/13); 13. Armani Milan (11/13); 14. Maccabi Tel Aviv (10/14); 15. Bayern Munich (9/15); 16. Kosner Baskonia (8/15); 17. Paris Basketball (7/16); 18. Partizan (7/16); 19. ASVEL Villeurbanne (6/17); 20. Anadolu Efes (6/18).
